Method of disintegrating metal into shotting



May 23, 1939. 'J. F. ERVlN I 2,159,433

I METHOD OF DISINTEGRATINQ MET AL INTO SHOTTI NG Filed Jan. 5, 1938 HPuqu/o smmM SWING flWI/STHENT CONTROL T0 PUMP JOHN fifRw/v Patented May23, 1939 V l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mrrnon or msm'raoasmc mama m'rosno'r'rmq John F. Ervln, Ann Arbor, Mich. Application January 5, 1938,Serial No. 183,539

12 Claim. (CI. 88-91) This invention relates to methods and means tendsto supportively roll the formed particles of disintegrating molten metalin the production thereon as they drop into a quenching water pool ofmetal spherulate or shot, having reference beneath, from which they arelater gathered more particularly to the break-up or dissection whenproperly cooled and hardened. of special hard-composition alloys intovary- Both of these methods are effectual in producsized globules orgrit intended for use as metallic ing shot and substantially improveupon the prior abrasive and'blast cleaning, cutting or polishing methodof simply dropping molten globules from material and the like. a heightinto water. However, the disintegrat- The object is to provide animproved method, ing action in both is quite violent, due tothe orprocess, and appllcative means for disintegratkinetic energy of thesteam or water in striking 10 ing or shottlng" the metal with improvedresults the hot molten stream, and an explosive effect not only in thedisintegration accomplishment, occurs at the impact point of the twostreams. or action itself, but also in the nature or state of The formedmetal particles are scattered widely the material produced. with avigorous impellation and are diversified in 16 One of the principal aimsin this objective is size a great deal more than is desirable. Much toattain a more quiescent, regular and steady of it is purefragmentation,or ragged lumping, break-up or dissection of the metal so that the andmore is mere dust in fineness. Moreover, spherulate or grit particlesproduced will be more the openness to possible oxidation of the metal isperfectly formed and more uniform or less diobjectionable, as thisresults in defect in the g0 versified in size, thereby reducing theamount of product, especially if it is to be used as a blast 20 purefragmentation and dissipation into mere cleaning or polishing medium.

dust. The present invention combines the two said Anotherv primarypurpose is to accomplish or earlier methods, together with a substitutedeleperform the disintegration free of oxidation inmeat in one of thesame, and results in an imfiuence or result upon the metal and in such aprovement upon both. To a considerable extent 25 medium and manner as tosubstantially eliminate the above stated objections and imperfections ofif not entirely exclude the possibility of such delethe production arethereby reduced although they terent action occurring either during orimmediadmittedly are not eliminated and it is probable ately followingthe break-up of the metal. that they cannot be eliminated entirely. Inad-' Incident to the first of these aims, it is also dition, theinvention includes an effective provi- 30 intended as an importantfactor to afford a consion against the ility of oxidation and so trol,within possible limits, of the rate, force and affords a markedimprovement over each of the degree or sizing of the disintegration, soas thereearlier methods described. by to produce the globular particlesof the desired The full particulars as well as the general concharacterand to maintain a proper uniformity cent and special advantages of theinvention will in their formation. be understood from the followingdescription Further included aims and purposes of incident made withreference to the attached drawing, nature will be evidenced hereinafter.illustrating one practical embodiment of the same Complete understandingof the invention and in a somewhat elementary form. what it seeks toaccomplish will be facilitated by In said drawin 40 first explainingthat in the ordinary production Fig. 1 is a fra men e side-elevational pof metal shot or grit, a downward flowing stream ,sentation of anapparatus for applying or carry. of the metal is struck by a jet .ofsteam directed the claimed method into effect; and v thereagainst withhigh-pressure size or force. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspectiveend-view of This steam jet disintegrates the metal into small one ofsaid apparatus parts. globular particles thrown off from the point of Inthe claimed invention a Stream 3 0f the impact and simultaneouslysolidifying as they molten metal is fed downward from its melting dropinto a quenching pool of water below, from furnace l as through adischarge pipe or nozzle which they are later taken when fully cooledand 5. This stream is of a size or thickness proper hardened. 1 for thesize of shotting or grit desired to be pro- 50 A newer process, whichimproves upon the duced, and is controlled as by a regulating or other,consists in discharging a stream of the shut-oil valve 6! placed in itsfeed or discharge metal downward upon a flat stream of water proline. Itis intended to be continuous through an jected under high-pressureforce. Said water operating or production period and may of coursestream similarly disintegrates the metal and be so maintained for aslong as desired, or as 55 line connection with a high-pressure or pumpsource (not shown). This latter stream consists of a liquid other thanwater and of a non-volatile oil or oily character, such for instance asan oil emulsion. Its nature is such that, as distinguished from water,both its fiow and. its action upon the metal stream dropping upon it aresmoother and its tendency to break up and vaporize under heat is less orslower. One of various possible liquids found to be very satisfactoryfor the purpose comprises an oil-fat emulsion having a flash-point of167 (3., a fire point of 243 C. and a specific heat of 025 C., with aspecific gravity of 1.4. Said liquid is spouted forth in a flattenedstream of definite or substantial thickness by a tipping of the nozzleend with an elongate discharge opening 8' as illustrated in Fig. 2. Avalve 9 inserted in or very nearly under the point of the metal, streamsdischarge thereonto, at an upward inclination of approximately 30degrees which is however of course variable. It thereby tends and servesnot only to support said liquid stream below said point and subsequentlybeyond the same, but also to raise the surface of said stream at thatpoint so as to give it a mound or knoblike formation I, such asrepresented. A valve I2,in its feed line from the forcingsource orboiler controls the fiow of said gaseous stream or jet, which may ifdesired be flattened out like the liquid stream.

The three described streams are brought together preferably quite closeto or only slightly beyond their feeding conduit ends. In some instancesit might be desirable to bring them together almost immediately beyondsaid ends to a single point, but ordinarily a definite distancing beyondis preferred. Advantageously, the metal stream 3 drops a mere four tofive inches from its-nozzle 5 onto the liquid stream; the liquid stream1 under-meets said metal stream approximately four inches from itsnozzle 8; and the gaseous stream Ill strikes said liquid streamapproximately the same distance from its nozzle ll, immediately below orperhaps a quarter of an inch in advance of the liquid streams contactwith the metal stream.

As the said three streams come together; the metal stream isdisintegrated in much the same way as by a steam or liquid stream alone.However, the oil or oily character of the liquid stream is much morequiet and smooth in its action upon the hot molten metal and thedisintegration takes place with less violent and explosive efi'ect andwith greater regularity and uniformity of result. The metal strikes andenters into. the liquid with subdued response to its break-up andquenching effect, and the "shotting or reading into globular particlesis produced with less fragmentation, dissipation and diversification insize. The liquid also tends somewhat to roll the formed andsimultaneously solidified particles so as to make them more perfectlyspherical. During this action, the gaseous stream or the like of steamsupportively augments and sustains the liquid stream, raising itssurfaceat the point (I) of metal contact so as to present a mound uponwhich the break into particles will occur, and carrying it a fartherdistance forward than would otherwise be the case. The said gaseousstream also tends to pierce the liquid and contribute its quenchingqualities thereto, surrounding the whole operation with vapor as theliquid disperses and the globular particles drop therethrough.

The formed particles thus produced drop into a further quenching pool I!of the liquid, or the same as the liquid, or containing.v the liquid, ina receptive space below, where they are cooled and hardened and arelater gathered and thereafter dried by a special process or treatmentpreventing oxidation and giving them a desired finish.

The disintegrating action may be regulated and perfected or refined to aconsiderable degree by a proper control of the respective stream flows.That is, the extent (size and volume) and uniformity of disintegrationmay be maintained or varied by suitable adjustment or changed adjustmentof the respective valves 6, 9 and I2 controlling the flow of thesestreams. A uniform fiow of each in relation to the other of courseproduces the best and most perfect result. Any appreciable variation inthe fiows is liable to change the character of the shotting. For

- tered fiow. On the other hand, a regulation to change the character ofthe disintegration may be made by readjusting any one or all three ofsaid valves, or by altering the pressures of the liquid and gaseousfluid streams.

In the last mentioned connection, the liquid stream is supplied underpressure up to 50 or more pounds from the pump source, and the gaseousfiuid or steam stream is supplied under pressure up to or more poundsfrom the boiler or other forcing source.

In this instance the operation is performed within the confined space ofa closed chamber represented by the dome structure I. This chamberdesirably has an observation and handhole window l5 through which theoperation may be viewed and access may be had to the nozzle parts. Italso has a stack l6, controlled by a suitable valve l'l, through whichair and present gas may be expelled. The said controlling valveContinued supply of the steam or gaseous fluid, along with thefunctioning of said valve. during the operation, maintains the chamberwith an inner predetermined pressure greater than atmospheric, with saidgaseous or steam vapor filling the entire inner space above the liquidpool l3 contained in its bottom. This inner greaterthan-atmosphericpressure may amount toone or two. pounds above atmospheric. or to asmuch as three or more atmospheres, depending upon conditions and theresults to be obtained. Ordinarily, operation will be conducted under aninternal pressure of perhaps three or four pounds above atmospheric andsaid operation is performed free of possible oxidation influence uponthe metal by complete exclusion of air.

The liquid pool I! contained in the bottom of said chamber is, aspreviously stated, the same as the liquid supplied in the liquid streamI, or contains the same liquid in strata, and may therefore be drawn offto the supply source for reuse, although a straining and reflnement orreconditioning is first advisable, due to the soiling by dust from themetal and to the dilution by steam from the jetting in a disintegratingoperation. For such purpose a draw-oil pipe II is shown in proposedconnection with the liquid-stream supply or some other pump source, thesame being provided with a valve I! by which to control the flowtherethrough.

In operation, the liquid stream is started before the metal stream isreleased to discharge thereonto, it being assumed that air has firstbeen excluded from the region as above described.

The steam or gaseous fluid stream, alreadyin I operation from the airexcluding operation or newly brought into play, is adjusted to cooperatesupplementally with it in the proper way so that the two work smoothlytogether. The metal stream is then released in proper flow and thedisintegration immediately begins.

As the smooth oily stream is met by the hot metal flow, it breaks thesame up into small globular particles which are carried along brieflywith it with something of a rolling or turning motion, while at the sametime dropping toward the liquid pool below. Some of the metal of coursefiys oil with a certain explosiveness 1diversely and some of it breaksinto pure fragments or dissipates into mere dust, but less of-thisintense action occurs than in the case of a mere water or steam streamalone. Thegreater number of the particles form in the stream and all areenveloped either in said streamor in the vaporof the gaseousfiuid orsteam which augments it. Many of them are conveyed well forwherein 3indicates the formed metal globules falling to place while other dotsindicate other particles thrown off divergently; X indicates thecombined liquid and gaseous fluid or steam flow; and Y indicates thearea of vapor arising from the hot metal contact therewith.

For better control and regulation, the liquid and steam gaseous fluidnozzles land ll may line pipe. On opposite sides of the nozzles alsobrace-rods 22 are provided, with a slide or slippage movement throughone of them. These brace-rods have arms 23 supporting a'slightlyarcuated rack 24 horizontally between the nozzles and a pinion 25 on theend of a tum-shaft 2O actuates said pinion against said rack to swingthe nozzles a slight distance toward either side. The turn-shaft extendsthrough a packing to the outside of the chamber and a hand-wheel 21 onits end provides for its manipulation. Thus the nozzles are maintainedin the adjusted relation and are enabled to be swung in unisonhorizontally so as to follow and properly retain their ejecting streamsunder the metal stream should the latter waver or shift to either side.

The advantages of this method and the means provided to carry it intoeifect will be appreciated by those familiar with the difliculties andimperfections of "shotting or the production of metal s'pherulate andgrit by the methods already known and in use. While it is not claimedthat this new method .attainsperfect results or eliminates all of theobjections and defects or inadequacies of prior methods, it is claimedto produce improved results and to substantially reduce and moderatesaid objections and defects.

It will be understood that the invention may be modified or varied inits practice andthat the applicative means disclosed may be embodied inquite diflerent constructions without departing from the full scope andconcept of the invention. For instance, the liquid stream, other thanwater, of the character defined may be used alone or without the streamof gaseous fluid or steam, or the gaseous fluid stream might be reducedproportionally greatly in its force. Under certain conditions also thegaseous fluid stream with steam alone or without the liquid stream mightbe used. The confining chamber might in a case of the liquid stream usealone be eliminated, although in thecase of the steam stream use aloneit would have to' be employed under an inner pressure exceedingatmospheric substantially or by alew pounds greater than that necessarymerely to exclude air as set forth in a prior application by this sameinventor co-pending herewith. Obviously various changes in the actualapparatus and arrangement of parts for conducting or accomplishing themethod can be made with full equivalency. in result. Therefore, theappended claims are not intended to limit the invention to the actualpractice and the actual means described and shown.

The use hereinbefore of the word "steam in conjunction or synonymousconnection with the term gaseous fluid is intendedonly to indicate steamas the preferred medium or example of gaseous fluids usable for thepurposes of this invention. The term gaseous.fiuid" as used hereto beused neither with the intention of claiming more than the actualinvention involved, nor with Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat- ..ent of the UnitedStates is:

1. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metalonto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily characterprojected with pressure force thereunder, and supporting said liquidstream by a stream of gaseous fluid directed at an angle upwardlythereagainst also with pressure force.

2. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metaldownwardly onto a stream oi! liquid other than water and of an oil oroily character projected horizontally thereunder with high-pressureforce, and directing angularly up against said stream under the point ofthe metal stream discharge thereonto a supporting stream of gaseunderapproximately the point of. the metal stream'discharge thereonto and inthe same :flow direction a stream of gaseous fluid projected also underpressure force.

4. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metalonto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily characterprojected with pressure force thereunder, and supporting said liquidstream by a stream of gaseous fluid such as steam directed at an angleupwardlythereagainst also with pressure force, the surrounding spacebeing meanwhile evacuated of air and other oxidizing gas,

5. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metalonto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily characterprojected with pressure force thereunder, and supporting said liquidstream by a stream of gaseous vapor such as steam directed at an angleupwardliy thereagainst also. with pressure force, the surrounding spacebeing meanwhile evacuated of air and other oxidizing gas and a medium ofvaporous gas being maintained in said space enveloping the threestreams.

6. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in discharging a molten stream of the metalonto a stream of liquid other than water and of an oil or oily characterprojected with pressure force thereunder, and supporting said liquidstream by a stream of gaseous vapor such as steam directed angularlyupward thereagainst in the same' general direction thereto also withpressure force, the surrounding space being meanwhile evacuated of airand said space being filled with the vapor of the medium from thegaseous vapor stream.-

7. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in discharging within an-air'excluded spacea molten stream of the metal onto a stream of liquid other than waterand oi an, oil

or oily character projected horizontally there-.

under with high-pressure force, directing angularly up against saidstream under the point of the metal stream discharge thereonto in thesame general direction thereof a supportingstream of a gaseous fluidsuch as steam projected likewise with high-pressure force, and fillingsaid space 'with vapor from said gaseous fluid stream.

8. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit,'which consists in discharging within a chamber excluded ofair a molten stream of the metal onto a stream of liquid other thanwater and of an oil or oily character projected with pressure forcethereunder, supporting said liquid stream by a streamoi a gaseous fluidof the character 0! steam directed angularlyupward thereagainst in thesame general direction also with pressure force, and maintaining the airexcluded from said space during the contacting operation of the threestreams.

9. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in first excluding air from a closedchamber space, discharging a molten stream of the metal within saidspace onto a stream. of liquid other than water and of an oil or oilycharacter projected with pressure force thereunder, supporting saidliquid stream by a stream of gaseous fluid such as steam directed at anangle upwardly thereagainst in substantially the same general. directionalso with pressure force, and

maintaining the air exclusion from the said space during the time saidthree streams are projected into contact with each other.

10. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in discharging within a closed air excludedchamber space a molten stream of the metal downwardly onto a stream ofliquid other than water and of an oil or oily character 'projectedhorizontally thereunder by pressure force, the said stream beingflattened by nozzling through an elongate discharge from its forcesupply line and said closed chamber being maintained air excluded.

11. The improved method of disintegrating metal in production of metalshot or grit, which consists in first expelling air from a closedchamber space by a medium of internal pressure greater than atmospheric,discharging a molten stream of the metal within said space onto a streamof liquid other than water and of an oil or oily'character projectedwith pressure force thereunder, supporting said liquid stream by astream of gaseous fluid such as steam directed upwardly thereagainst atan angle in the same general flow direction also with pressure force,and maintaining within said closed chamber space a pressuresubstantially greater than atmosphericby the said internal pressuremedium downwardly into said space from a source of supply above, meansfor discharging a force pressure stream oi! liquid horizontally underthe stream 01' downwardly discharging metal, means for discharging aforce pressure stream of steam upwardly against the liquid stream underapproximately the pointlat which the metal stream dischargesthereontonmeans for controlling and regulating the three stream flowsindependently, and means maintaining said liquid and steam streamdischarges in fixed relation to each other but adapting them to be swungin unison in opposite side-wise directions exteriorally of the chamber,said chamber having in its bottom a pool of or the same as the liquidsupplied in said liquid stream.

JOHN F. ERVIN.

